Home Health AidHome Health Aides

When restrictions of aging, disability, chronic illness or cognitive difficulty make it challenging for individuals to care fully for themselves at home, home health aides can assist. A home health aide improves the quality of life for people through professional, hands-on care and compassionate kindness. For many Right at Home clients, a home health aide or caregiver becomes a trusted friend.

Home health aides with specialized training can administer a client’s medication or check vital signs under the direction of a registered nurse or other medical professional. Qualified home health aides may also change bandages and dressings and help with medical equipment. Typically, when in-home clients need skilled health care, home health aides are trained as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or Patient Care Assistant (PCA).*

Role of a Home Health Aide

Home health aides provide everything from companionship to basic health assistance, including:

  • Bathing and dressing
  • Light housekeeping (laundry, vacuuming, etc.)
  • Medication monitoring
  • Grocery shopping
  • Meal planning and preparation
  • Transportation to doctor’s offices and other appointments
  • Companionship visits
  • Organization of schedules and appointments
  • Physical exercise and at-home therapy exercises

In addition, many home health aides are also trained to check pulse, temperature, respiration, help with braces or artificial limbs and perform a number of skilled nursing duties.

Home health aides can also help with specific in-home care needs related to:

  • Alzheimer’s and Other Related Dementia
  • Hypertension/Stroke Recovery
  • Heart Disease
  • Cancer Recovery
  • Hospice/Palliative Support